ACT I SCENE I

Titus Andronicus

ACT I SCENE I

Rome. Before the Capitol.

[ The Tomb of the ANDRONICI appearing; the Tribunes and Senators aloft. Enter, below, from one side, SATURNINUS and his Followers; and, from the other side, BASSIANUS and his Followers; with drum and colours ]

SATURNINUS

Noble patricians, patrons of my right,

Defend the justice of my cause with arms,

And, countrymen, my loving followers,

Plead my successive title with your swords:

I am his first-born son, that was the last

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That wore the imperial diadem of Rome;

Then let my father’s honours live in me,

Nor wrong mine age with this indignity.

BASSIANUS

Romans, friends, followers, favorers of my right,

If ever Bassianus, Caesar’s son,

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Were gracious in the eyes of royal Rome,

Keep then this passage to the Capitol

And suffer not dishonour to approach

The imperial seat, to virtue consecrate,

To justice, continence and nobility;

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But let desert in pure election shine,

And, Romans, fight for freedom in your choice.

[Enter MARCUS ANDRONICUS, aloft, with the crown]

MARCUS ANDRONICUS

Princes, that strive by factions and by friends

Ambitiously for rule and empery,

Know that the people of Rome, for whom we stand

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A special party, have, by common voice,

In election for the Roman empery,

Chosen Andronicus, surnamed Pius

For many good and great deserts to Rome:

A nobler man, a braver warrior,

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Lives not this day within the city walls:

He by the senate is accit’d home

From weary wars against the barbarous Goths;

That, with his sons, a terror to our foes,

Hath yoked a nation strong, train’d up in arms.

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Ten years are spent since first he undertook

This cause of Rome and chastised with arms

Our enemies’ pride: five times he hath return’d

Bleeding to Rome, bearing his valiant sons

In coffins from the field;

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And now at last, laden with horror’s spoils,

Returns the good Andronicus to Rome,

Renowned Titus, flourishing in arms.

Let us entreat, by honour of his name,

Whom worthily you would have now succeed.

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And in the Capitol and senate’s right,

Whom you pretend to honour and adore,

That you withdraw you and abate your strength;

Dismiss your followers and, as suitors should,

Plead your deserts in peace and humbleness.

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SATURNINUS

How fair the tribune speaks to calm my thoughts!

BASSIANUS

Marcus Andronicus, so I do ally

In thy uprightness and integrity,

And so I love and honour thee and thine,

Thy noble brother Titus and his sons,

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And her to whom my thoughts are humbled all,

Gracious Lavinia, Rome’s rich ornament,

That I will here dismiss my loving friends,

And to my fortunes and the people’s favor

Commit my cause in balance to be weigh’d.

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[Exeunt the followers of BASSIANUS]

SATURNINUS

Friends, that have been thus forward in my right,

I thank you all and here dismiss you all,

And to the love and favor of my country

Commit myself, my person and the cause.

[Exeunt the followers of SATURNINUS]

Rome, be as just and gracious unto me

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As I am confident and kind to thee.

Open the gates, and let me in.

BASSIANUS

Tribunes, and me, a poor competitor.

[Flourish. SATURNINUS and BASSIANUS go up into the Capitol]

[Enter a Captain]

Captain

Romans, make way: the good Andronicus.

Patron of virtue, Rome’s best champion,

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Successful in the battles that he fights,

With honour and with fortune is return’d

From where he circumscribed with his sword,

And brought to yoke, the enemies of Rome.

[ Drums and trumpets sounded. Enter MARTIUS and MUTIUS; After them, two Men bearing a coffin covered with black; then LUCIUS and QUINTUS. After them, TITUS ANDRONICUS; and then TAMORA, with ALARBUS, DEMETRIUS, CHIRON, AARON, and other Goths, prisoners; Soldiers and people following. The Bearers set down the coffin, and TITUS speaks ]